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How Do You Tune a 12-String Guitar?
String Pairs
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Mentally divide the 12 strings of your guitar into sets of two before you start to tune. You'll notice the strings are already grouped in pairs as they come across the nut and run down the fretboard--one light gauge string next to a heavier one, with normal string spacing between sets. Think of each pair as a single string on a standard guitar.
High E and B
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Tune the first string pair, or the one closest to the floor as you hold your guitar, to high E. Both strings in a pair have individual tuners, so pluck each string and tune it separately. Use an electronic tuner for accuracy, and pluck both strings together to check that they sound in tune with each other.
Use the same method to tune the second string pair to B. Notice that the pairs correlate to the individual strings of a six-string guitar.
Low E, A, D and G
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Tune the last four pairs, high to low, to G, D, A and E, but with octave intervals. In other words, tune the higher gauge A string (closest to the floor) to standard A, just as you would a normal guitar. Then tune the lighter gauge string in the pair to the A an octave higher. Adjust each of the remaining strings this way.
Alternate Tunings
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You can tune the octave strings on your guitar to different intervals to achieve interesting harmonies and open tunings. Tune each bass string, as well as the high E and B pairs, to standard tuning. Then tune each octave string to the desired interval.
eHow Article: How Do You Tune a 12-String Guitar?
